21062026-LT-01.qxd 6/21/2026 12:07 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune NO LEAVE FOR PSPCL TECH STAFF TILL SEPTEMBER 15 AAP SLAMS OPPN PARTIES OVER CM’S ‘FAKE’ VIDEO FILM ACTORS STRETCHING THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS PSPCL not to allow leave to technical staff till Sept 15 to ensure uninterrupted supply during paddy transplant. P2 AAP holds protest, slams SAD, other opposition parties for trying to tarnish CM’s image with ‘fake’ video. P2 From Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty to Alia, Bollywood actors committed to yoga, setting fitness goals. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 26.8°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.27 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.22 AM » SUNDAY | 21 JUNE 2026 | LUDHIANA Two associates of foreign-based gangsters held with arms, ammo Bid to scare bizmen for extortion foiled; accused Mullanpur Dakha residents, addicts of them were drug addicts and received payments from the gangsters after fulfilling the assigned tasks. In February this year, the Ludhiana police had booked Doni Bal after an extortion of Rs 2 crore was demanded in his name from Jagjit Singh, a local businessman. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 20 The police have arrested two associates of foreignbased gangsters Doni Bal and Arsh Bagga. They were allegedly planning to intimidate wealthy businessmen in the city to extort money. The accused have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh, alias Raji Neela, and Rajveer Singh, alias Raji. Both are residents of Mullanpur Dakha, near Baddowal. Two .30-bore pistols, nine live cartridges and a bike have been recovered from them. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Additional DCP-3 Dev Singh said the police had received information that two henchmen of gangsters Doni Bal and Arsh Bagga were planning to target certain individuals and businessmen in the city. With the help of human intelligence, the police arrested both of them from Baddowal village. The police are interrogating them to know their specific targets. Cops are also 2 days on, BJP leader, kin among seven booked for assaulting AAPcouncillor Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 20 Two days after Aam Aadmi Party councillor Nikku Bharti was assaulted, the police have registered a case against BJP leader Vicky Sahota and six others. In his complaint to the police, Bharti alleged that the BJP leader had been extorting Rs 2,000 per month each from shopkeepers under Dholewal Bridge by intimidating them. The Ward No. 30 councillor claimed that on June 18, he received a call from few shop- keepers, informing him that some people were filming a spot under the bridge where water cooler was being installed for public convenience and were demanding money. He said he rushed to the spot and tried to reason with them but they started arguing with him and abused him. When he tried to leave, the accused led by the BJP leader surrounded him and allegedly assaulted him. The complainant stated that Vicky Sahota, his brother Rakesh, alias Tidda, Yash Sahota and three to four unidentified persons attacked him. Vicky Sahota’s wife Sapna also came there and hurled abuses at him, he claimed. Bharti stated that the accused also attacked Bhupinder, a young man who came to his rescue, and threatened to kill him. The police have registered a case against Vicky, Rakesh, Yash Sahota, all residents of Islamganj, and four unidentified persons. Notably, Vicky had also lodged a complaint against the councillor alleging that the AAP leader and his associates had attacked him first. About gangster Doni Bal Additional DCP Dev Singh briefs mediapersons on the arrest of two aides of gangsters and the recovery of weapons in Ludhiana on Saturday. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA examining their mobile phones to gather technical evidence about their connection with the foreignbased gangsters. During preliminary investigation, the police found that the two youths had been in touch with the two gangsters via Telegram for the past few days. They were planning to commit a crime on the night of June 17, but were apprehended by cops. The accused were produced in a court, which remanded them in two-day custody, said the ADCP , adding that their further interrogation could reveal the activities of the two gangsters in the state and lead to more recoveries. The police claimed that both c m y b Balwinder Singh, alias Doni Bal, of Pati Balel village in Amritsar is one of the main handlers of the Gopi Ghanshampuria Gang (Mann Ghanshampuria-Doni Bal faction) and is also associated with the Bambiha gang. He has at least 32 cases registered against him for various offences, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, arms smuggling, robbery and dacoity. He was allegedly involved in the killing of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother and cousin Karanbir Singh. Doni Bal is suspected to be hiding in the United Kingdom from where he continues to run extortion rackets through his accomplices. Fraudsters create MLA’s fake FB profile Cyclist among two hurt as minors take car for a spin Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Malerkotla, June 20 Miscreants created a fake Facebook account of Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura and attempted a financial fraud on his ‘friends’ by seeking money in his name, citing an emergency. The MLA said a fake Facebook account was opened and his photos, the AAP symbol and information were Continued on page 2 Ludhiana, June 20 A cyclist and a shopkeeper were injured as a speeding car driven by a minor rammed into them here on Friday. According to reports, Manu, the car owner, had taken his vehicle for washing at a centre on Neela Jhanda Road around 8 pm. After the car was washed, the centre owner handed over its keys to two minors, about 16 years of age, and asked them to park it. However, the two boys went on a drive through the market. The boy driving the car lost control of the vehicle and hit a cyclist and a shopkeeper nearby. Both sustained injuries in the mishap. The car was reportedly being driven at a speed of about 100 km per hour. The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera. Ajay (21), the injured cyclist, said, “I was returning home from work on a bicycle. Continued on page 2